ST Vincent’s Health Australia could sign a lease for Griffith’s private hospital in the coming weeks, according to Mayor John Dal Broi.

Councillor Dal Broi and other representatives from the council met with senior executives from NSW Health, St Vincent’s Health Australia and Murrumbidgee Local Health District last week.

He said he was confident the representatives were aware the community was “110 per cent” behind the hospital.

“I’m assured and reassured that they will come to an agreement and within a matter of weeks the lease will be signed, we hope,” Cr Dal Broi said.

Cr Dal Broi was also delighted to announce a $100,000 pledge from Leeton’s Milbrae Quarries.

“Peter Woods, a former councillor on Leeton council, a former mayor made the pledge,” he said.

Cr Dal Broi said the commitment from a Leeton business proved the hospital had the support of the whole region.

“This is a regional hospital supported by the region,” he said.

Cr Dal Broi said the pledge took the total committed in pledges and cash to about $850,000.

He said the $1 million target was not too far off, with a performance by Patrizio Buanne expected to raise between $35,000 and $40,000 for the hospital.

Cr Dal Broi said he was delighted by the community response to the hospital, with the target nearly achieved in less than two years.

NSW Health is working closely with St Vincent’s Health Network to ensure the health services provided at the new hospital are well co-ordinated with those already provided in the existing Griffith Base Hospital, health secretary for NSW Health Dr Mary Foley said.

St Vincent’s Health Australia group chief executive officer Toby Hall said the organisation was working closely with Murrumbidgee Local Health District and NSW Health to identify opportunities for clinical and corporate shared services at the Griffith Health campus.

“This work is progressing well and will continue throughout the development work for the new hospital through to its opening,” Mr Hall said.

The lease was expected to be signed at the start of this year but a contractual agreement between the private and public hospitals dealing with shared services has not been met.